Tour du Poitou Charentes - Race Overview

Eleven-time Canadian champion Svein Tuft has secured second overall at the Tour du Poitou Charentes, finishing within the bunch sprint on the last day of racing.

Tuft went into the fifth and final stage 47seconds behind leader Sylvain Chavanel (IAM), courtesy of the previous afternoon’s individual time trial, and the situation remained the same at the Tour’s close.

Sport director David McPartland conceded that the strength of the IAM Cycling team riding in support of Chavanel made it near impossible to challenge for the overall victory.

“Realistically, it really wasn’t going to happen,” McPartland said of Tuft’s chances of knocking Chavanel off the top step of the podium on the final stage.